Verde Ranger District
Located near the geographic center of Arizona, the Verde Ranger District is accessible to visitors from all over the state. Drop a fishing line into the Verde River at one of eight day-use access points or put your canoe in at White Bridge Recreation Area for a popular nine-mile float to Beasley Flat. Explore the site of an old salt mine near Camp Verde, re-create history by following part of General Crook’s military supply route, or book a stay at Sycamore Cabin, which once served as the ranger station for the old Bloody Basin Ranger District. ATV enthusiasts can enjoy off-road riding at Hayfield Draw.
For relief from the summer’s heat, follow the winding highway up to Mingus Mountain and camp in the pines at Potato Patch Campground or Mingus Mountain Campgrounds. Groups of 20 to 100 can reserve Playground Group Campground. Many of the District’s hiking trails are located on Mingus, but it’s also a great place to relax and enjoy panoramic views of the Verde Valley. A bit lower on the mountain, near the cluster of homes known as Cherry, Powell Springs Campground stays open all year.
To escape from the crowds, try a backpacking trip into Pine Mountain or Cedar Bench wildernesses, on the southeastern edge of the District. Bring your own water and be prepared for an abundance of wildlife such as bears, mountain lions, and javelina.
Complexes
Located in the cool pines of central Arizona, Mingus Mountain offers a wide range of recreational opportunities including picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, camping, fishing, hunting, hang gliding, and paragliding.
Trails in the area include:
- Ash Canyon Trail #539
- Butterfly Trail #536
- Coleman Trail #108
- Gaddes Trail #110
- Gaddes Two Trail #9037
- Little Yeager Canyon Trail #533
- Middle Trail #537
- North Mingus Trail #105
- Old Dump Trail #530
- Quail Spring Ranch Trail #512
- Rock Springs Trail #514
- Silver Trail #516
- View Point Trail #106
- West Rim Trail #538
- Yeager Cabin Trail #111
- Yeager Canyon Trail #28
- Yeager Mine Trail #501
This picnic site is located on the side of Hwy 89A, at the top of Mingus Mountain.
Printable Resources:
A small lake located in the cool pines of Mingus Mountain, Mingus Lake is periodically stocked with rainbow trout.
Located next to a protected mountain meadow (which is privately owned), Playground Group Site is shaded by ponderosa pines. Mingus Lake is a short distance up the roa
Located in the cool pines atop Mingus Mountain, this picnic area offers a spectacular view of the Verde Valley, the red rocks of Sedona, Humphrey’s Peak in Flagstaff, and t
Located in the cool pines atop Mingus Mountain, this picnic area offers a spectacular view of the Verde Valley, the red rocks of Sedona, Humphrey’s Peak in Flagstaff, and t
Arizona’s premier hang gliding and paragliding launch. Visitors are welcome, but camping is authorized only for current members of the Arizona Hang Gliding and Paragli
Located in the Mingus Mountain Area in ponderosa pine forest, this campground offers cool summertime temperatures and fairly easy access via a paved and winding mountain ro
A parking area that is accessible to passenger vehicles and has plenty of room for trailer turn-around, located in the cool pines of Mingus Mountain near the Woodchute Wild
This small wilderness offers relatively easy access and spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks and panoramic vistas of central Arizona.
Prescott National Forest has eight sites that offer access to the Verde River. Some sites are commonly used to put-in or take-out non-motorized watercraft while others offer picnicking facilities or are popular for wading and fishing. Down river, starting at Beasley Flat, the Verde River has Wild & Scenic River status protecting its outstanding natural and cultural values. Upriver, the Verde Canyon Railroad follows the Verde River as it cuts through stunning red rock canyons that border the Prescott and Coconino National Forests.
Friends of the Verde River has Paddle Guides posted on their website. Please plan ahead, be prepared, and practice Leave No Trace ethics to leave the Verde just as you find it for those who come after.
Canoe and Kayak Launch:
- White Bridge - Located across from the Verde Ranger Station on Highway 260, this site has picnic facilities and is the most popular boat launch for float trips to Beasley Flat.
- Beasley Flat - This site marks the beginning of the Wild & Scenic stretch of the Verde River which is recommended only for experienced boaters. Float trips take out here, and there are picnic facilities and a nature trail.
- Clear Creek - Though boaters can put in or take out here, this is not a very good boat launch. The access to the river is steep and slippery, and parking is limited.
- Black Canyon - A popular fishing spot, and a fun place to splash around on an inner tube!
Fishing, wading and picnicking:
Fishing:
Learn more about the National Wild & Scenic River program: Check out this story board created by the National Park Service!
Just off Highway 260, White Bridge provides a welcome spot to stretch your legs during a road trip and maybe have a bite to eat.
The Verde River is the only river in Arizona with a Wild and Scenic designation. Beasley Flat is the beginning of the Wild and Scenic stretch of the Verde River.
Steeped in history, this route winds through wooded lanes beside the Verde River, climbs to panoramic vistas, passes the historic Verde Salt Mine, and ends at the
Perfect for history buffs, this 11-mile drive (22 miles round trip) begins in Camp Verde, AZ and follows the Verde River to the road's end at Beasley Flat where boater
Black Canyon Fishing Site provides access to the Verde River where visitors enjoy fishing, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, kayaking, and floating on inner tu
The 16,000-acre Cedar Bench Wilderness area is located south of the Town of Camp Verde.
Cedar Bench Wilderness on Wildernes.net
Trails in the Cedar Bench Wilderness include:
Goat Springs Trail #542
Lower Cedar Bench Trail #540
Chasm Creek Trail #164
The Blowout Wash Trail System is popular with hikers and offers opportunities for out/back and loop hikes that offer a high desert hiking experience in the foothills east of Mingus Mountain. Low lying vegetation throughout the trail ensures excellent views of mountain views and the surrounding Verde Valley.
The Blowout Wash Trail System was first conceptualized in 2008 to provide more recreation opportunities to the communities of Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and Jerome. The Verde Trails & Access Plan (VTAP) was approved in September 2018, and construction of the new non-motorized trail system began in the spring of 2019.
With efforts from the Forest Service, volunteers and community partners, the system has grown to over 15+ miles with new trails planned or currently in progress. Accessed from Blowout Wash Trailhead near Cottonwood, this system is enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The system can alternately be accessed by hikers and mountain bikers from the Yavapai College-Verde Valley Campus.
Please be considerate of other users; slow down and know when to yield the trail. Refrain from using horses and bikes when trails are wet.
Camping – See various state and private entities for camping/lodging opportunities near the Blowout Wash Trail System
Directions:
To Blowout Wash Trailhead: From downtown Cottonwood, head north on Main St and turn left on E Mingus Ave. At the traffic circle, continue straight onto W Mingus Ave. Continue onto W Mingus Ave for 2.4 miles. At the cattle guard, W Mingus Ave turns into Forest Road 493. The trailhead is a wide spot in the road and offers parking for 30-40 vehicles. The route to the trailhead is paved, though the last mile is on a graded dirt road. The road is suitable for 2wd vehicles.
Yavapai College Verde Campus Trailhead (hiker and mountain biker access only, no equestrians): From downtown Cottonwood, head north on Main St and turn left on E Mingus Ave. At the traffic circle, continue straight onto W Mingus Ave. 0.5 mile later, turn right onto AZ-89A S, then at the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto W Black Hills Dr. Stay on Black Hills Dr. for about 1 mile, then turn left into the campus parking lot across from Gerrysue Dr. There will be a ramada and pit toilet on your right where the trailhead parking is.
Parking:
Blowout Wash Trailhead is a wide spot in the road and offers parking for 30-40 vehicles with ample room to turn around trailers.
Parking for the Yavapai College Verde Campus Trailhead is on campus and does not accommodate trailers.
Area trails include:
- Blowout Butte #556
- Blowout Canyon #551
- Bullseye Trail #557
- Campus Trail #559
- Copper Chief Trail #535
- Extra Credit Trail #581
- Fenceline Trail #553
- Flowing Well Trail #580
- Higher Learning #552
- Limestone Trail #554
- Mesquite Hills Trail #558
This small wilderness offers relatively easy access and spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks and panoramic vistas of central Arizona. Created in 1984, the 5,923-acre wilderness ranges in elevation from 5,500 to 7,800 feet. Ponderosa Pine is the dominate overstory species located at the upper elevations which gradually changes to pinon pine and Utah juniper at the lower and relatively drier elevations.
Trails in the area include:
- Rick Tank Cutoff Trail #104
- Woodchute Trail #102
Established in 1935, this area contains a unique canyon-land environment. The canyon cuts through the Mogollon Rim which marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. It winds for 20 miles along Sycamore Creek and at places stretches 7 miles from rim to rim. Wind and water have exposed 7 geological associations of plants and animals set in a spectacular setting of red sandstone, white limestone, and brown lava. Camping is limited by the often-unreliable water sources.
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness on Wilderness.net
Trails in the area include:
- Deadman Pocket Trail #117
- Henderson Trail #53
- Packard Trail #66
- R.R. Draw Trail #68
- Sycamore Basin Trail #63
- Yew Thicket Trail #52
- Trails #54, #61, #66, #9017
The southern-most wilderness area on the Prescott National Forest shares a boundary with the Tonto National Forest. Recreational opportunities include: hiking, backpacking, and horse riding. Mechanized equipment of any kind is not allowed in wilderness areas.
Pine Mountain Wilderness on wilderness.net
Trails in the area include:
- Buck Basin Trail #158
- Nelson Trail #159
- Pine Flat Trail #165
- Pine Mountain Trail #14
- Tule Rim Trail #162
- Verde Rim Trail #161
- Willow Springs Trail #12
Trails in the area offer opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, and OHV riding. For picnicking, fishing, tubing, boating, and camping opportunities in the area please refer to the Verde River sites list.
Trails and trailheads near Camp Verde:
- Black Canyon Trail #114
- Camp Verde Trail #545
- Copper Canyon Trailhead
- Grief Hill Trailhead
- Grief Hill Trail #153
- Lower Black Canyon Trail
- River Trail #517
- Ryal Canyon Trail # 521
- Sand Wash Trail # 527
Hayfield Draw OHV Area has an open area for riding (50" and less) and access to OHV trails in the area.
Recreation Sites
Beasley Flat Picnic Site
Bignotti Picnic Site
Black Canyon Fishing Site
Clear Creek Fishing Site
Copper Canyon Trailhead
Hayfield Draw OHV Day Use Area
Mingus Hang Glider Launch Specialized Sport Site
Mingus Lake Day Use / Fishing Site
Mingus Mountain Campground
Mingus Mountain Picnic Site